Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Penetration Tester III Salary in Chicago, IL

How much does a Penetration Tester III make in Chicago, IL?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Penetration Tester III in Chicago, IL is $134,847 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $65.

However, a Penetration Tester III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $160,449
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $127,340 to $148,248
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $120,504
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Penetration Tester III Salaries

A Penetration Tester III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Penetration Tester III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Penetration Tester III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Penetration Tester I (0-2 years): $87,365
  • Penetration Tester II (2-4 years): $105,154
  • Penetration Tester III (4-7 years): $134,847
  • Penetration Tester IV (7+ years): $154,990
  • Penetration Tester V (7-10 years): $180,125
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Penetration Tester I0-2 years$87,365
Penetration Tester II2-4 years$105,154
Penetration Tester III4-7 years$134,847
Penetration Tester IV7+ years$154,990
Penetration Tester V7-10 years$180,125
View as Graph

Top Paying Cities for Penetration Tester IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $164,586
  • San Francisco: $162,784
  • Oakland: $159,353

Penetration Tester III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Penetration Tester III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $150,543. While startup companies pay approximate $127,472.

Penetration Tester III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $127,472
Growth Stage 51~500 $134,785
Established 501~5000 $145,361
Enterprise 5000+ $150,543

Penetration Tester III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Penetration Tester III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Penetration Tester positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Penetration Tester III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Penetration Tester III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$195,734$94.050%

Penetration Tester III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Penetration Tester III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$127,340
Average $134,847/year
$148,248
$10,612
Average $11,237/month
$12,354
$2,449
Average $2,593/week
$2,851
$61
Average $65/hour
$71
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $148,248 $12,354 $2,851 $71
Average $134,847 $11,237 $2,593 $65
25th Percentile $127,340 $10,612 $2,449 $61

Penetration Tester III Salary Growth & Career Path

Penetration Tester III

Next Role

Advancement

For a Penetration Tester III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Penetration Tester IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $154,990 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Find Your Next Penetration Tester III Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Penetration Tester III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job